Luggage case



A g- 1950 w. G.'AXTELL 2,950,793

' LUGGAGE CASE Filed Jan. 9', 1959 -4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENT 0R.

W/LLARO 6. AX TELL BY A 7' TOR/V5 Y Au 3o,1960 -W ,AXTELL 2,950,793

LUGGAGE CASE Filed Jan. 9, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. W/LLARD G AIX 7' E LL Aug. 30, 1960 w. G. AXTELL I 3 LUGGAGE CASE Filed Jan. 9, 1959 INVENTOR. WILLARD 6. AIX 7' ELL BY ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 LUGGAGE CASE Willard G. Axtell, Denver, 80hr, assignor to Shwayder Bros, Inc, Denver, (1010., a corporation of Colorado Filed tan. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 785,880

'12 Claims. (*Cl. 19049) This invention relates to luggage cases.

In my US. Patent No. 2,832,488, several types of previous luggage cases are described, including luggage cases in which two sections have been made from metal drawn to shape, so that there are no abutting edges or joints at the corners and the weight thereof is thus not unduly great. In the luggage case construction of the Emmett H. Heitler U.S. Patent No. 2,829,745, a principal load-bearing element comprises interfitting tongue and groove strips extending all the way around the peripheral edge of each section of the case, the remaining portions of each section being attached to such tongue and groove strips. In the luggage case of my aforesaid U.S. Patent No. 2,832,488, each of the case sections is provided at each end with a panel conveniently made of plastic and provided with a groove into which the edges of a strip fit, such strip being adapted to form the side and also the top and bottom surfaces of the case section. Such a strip is conveniently formed of a light weight metal, such as a magnesium alloy, covered on the outside with a layer of wear-resistant plastic which is adhered to the strip by a bonding operation. While the longitudinal corners of each case section, i.e., between the sides and the top and bottom of the section, respectively, may be curved, the end pan ls are generally flat so that the corners at each end are substantially right angle corners. If such end panels are curved so as to provide rounded are curved corners at the intersection of each of the sides, top, and bottom of the case with the ends, the proportion of molded material, such as plastic, is increased considerably, thus increasing the weight of the case. Also, the shock strength of such end panels is reduced by such curvature. Thus, when it is desired to make a luggage case, the outer shell of which is formed principally of light-weight metal, there are numerous problems involved.

In the luggage case of my copending application Serial No. 680,850, filed August 28, 1957, each concave section of a luggage case includes a metal strip which extends around the confronting edge of the section, the strips of the two sections being interfitting at the inner edges, each strip having a substantial lateral extent and, if desired, provided with an internal groove adjacent the outer edge which receives a side panel. Such a panel may be flat so as to be received in the groove, or the panel may be concave and connected to the strip, while the strip may be provided with a shallow, longitudinally extending recess in which a layer of non-metallic wear resistant material is disposed. The luggage case of the present invention includes certain of the features of the luggage case of my application Serial No. 680,850 and is thus an improvement thereon.

An aluminum or magnesium alloy sheet can be drawn to a hollow or shell shape, but if such metal comprises the outer surface of a luggage case, it tends to become marred from scratching, scufiing or the like. Paint normally does not adhere well to metal, so that a painted metal surface tends to chip, i.e., the paint tends to scratch or flake off. Lacquers, particularly those of plastic formu- 2,950,793 Patented Aug. 30, 1960 lation, have a better adherence, particularly to aluminum, but are generally limited to a single color and normally do not permit a pattern to be produced thereon. However, a sheet of Wear resistant vinyl resin may be produced so as to have a desired color and also may be embossed so as to have any desired pattern thereon, such as to simulate leather, cloth, or the like. While such a vinyl sheet may be readily bonded to a flat strip or sheet of aluminum or magnesium alloy, numerous difiiculties are encountered when such a light metal sheet covered with a plastic layer bonded thereto is attempted to be formed into a curved hollow shell, particularly at the corners, where bending takes place in two planes instead of only one. Thus, the amount of dual plane bending which may take place at the corners is limited, so that the depth of such shells is limited, from a practical standpoint, which thus limits the width or thickness of a luggage case which can be made from such shells. A shell of limited width can also be made by first drawing a sheet of light metal, such as of magnesium alloy, into the desired shape, then heating an embossed vinyl sheet and pulling the same down against the metal shell by vacuum. The vinyl sheet and metal sheet may be slightly larger than necessary and trimmed off after the vinyl is applied to the metal. An adhesive, of course, is applied so that the vinyl sheet will adhere to the metal. However, even under the best conditions, a vinyl sheet or layer bonded or adhered to a metal shell, can become separated from the shell in the event that a separating force is exerted at the edge of the shell, i.e., where the edge of both the metal and the plastic sheet are exposed, the plastic is much more readily separated from the metal. Thus, there should be no exposed edges, subject to abrasion or wear, of a plastic layer bonded or adhered to metal.

A concave shell can also be molded, such as from a resin or plastic provided with a filler, the filler conveniently being cellulose fibers or the like and the resin conveniently including a thermosetting resin to impart rigidity and a thermoplastic resin to impart toughness and resilience. However, the width and also the curvature of such shells is limited by the resistance thereof to shock,

while the edges of such a shell need to be protected against impact and abrasion.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a novel luggage case; to provide such a luggage case which may be made relatively light in weight, as by the use of a light-weight metal; to provide such a luggage case which will have excellent wearing qualities, such as by the use of a wear-resistant layer on metal; to provide such a luggage case in which a minimum of metal is exposed to wear; to provide such a luggage case which may be provided with rounded or curved surfaces at all corners; to provide such a luggage case which may include hollow shells having curved corners and formed of lightweight metal to which a layer of plastic is applied, but wherein the edges between plastic and metal layers are protected; to provide such a luggage case whose width may be considerably greater than the depth of such shells; to provide such a luggage case in which looks, hinges and the like may be mounted in a protected position; to provide such a luggage case which may be made in various sizes and forms; and to provide such a luggage case which may be readily produced and will be durable in use.

Additional objects and the novel features of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a luggage case constructed in accordance with this invention;

' Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the luggage case of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the luggage case of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-section, on an enlarged scale, taken at the position of line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of one section of the case, taken at the center and showing a joint clip;

Fig. 6 is a cross-section taken along offset line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of a supporting foot;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of the foot, taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary cross-section of the foot and an adjacent portion of one section of the luggage case, taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a bottom planview of a hinge, on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 11 is aside elevation of the hinge of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a cross-section of the hinge of Fig. 10 and adjacent portions of the luggage case; and

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the luggage case of Fig. l, in open position.

As illustrated in Figs. 1-3, a luggage case constructed in accordance with this invention may include a pair of .shells S and S, each formed of lightweight metal, such as magnesium alloy, provided on the exterior surface with a wear resistant layer of plastic or the like, such as vinyl, bonded or otherwise secured to the metal layer, as by adhesive. In Fig. 4 are shown the metal layer 10, which may be of a suitable thickness, such as on the order of 0.032 in, and the plastic layer ll, which may be thinner, such as on the order of 0.015 in., although metal and plastic layers of other and different thickness may be utilized. Each shell S and S is concave, being hollow on the inside and all of the corners thereof conveniently being rounded, but the peripheral edge of each shell, at which the layer 11 of plastic is exposed, is protected by being installed beneath a tongue strip T or a groove strip G. The shells S and 5 may also be a formed shell, such as a molded shell formed of a mixture or thermosetting and thermoplastic resin and provided with a filler, as of cellulose fibers. Such a formed-shell may conveniently be thicker than a shell formed from a metal layer covered with a plastic layer, such as on the order of 0.090 in. and also thicker at the rounded corners. As will be evident, the peripheral edge of each such shell is again protected by being installed beneath the tongue strip T and groove strip G, respectively. The plastic layer 11 may be embossed, such as on the outside only, to provide a suitable pattern, such as to simulate tooled leather, while the formed shells may, if desired, be provided with a similar pattern on the outside.

As will be evident, the shell S and tongue strip T provide one half or section of the luggage case, and the shell S and groove strip G provide the opposite half or section, while the strips T and G are adapted to interfit when the case is closed, as in Fig. 4, to form a seal between the sections and add rigidity to the case structure. Each strip T and G preferably extends around the entire periphery of the respective luggage case section and may be extruded from a light metal, such as aluminum or magnesium alloy. Although any other desired exterior appearance may be provided, the tongue and groove strips, as shown, form a recess R which extends longitudinally around the case, with exposed metal beads 12 and 13 on the respective sides of the recess R and beads 1- and 15, respectively, in spaced relation thereto. On the top of the case, as shown in Fig. 1, an elongated lock structure L is conveniently disposed in. protected position within the recess R, while a support 16 for a handle 17 may be mounted on the lock structure L. As will be evident, other types of locks, drawbolts or the like may be used for detachably connecting the two sections of the luggage case together along its top. The bottoms of the two sections are hinged together, in a manner described later, but generally by two. or more hinges 4 H, conveniently installed in recess R, as in Fig. 3, while when in upright position, the case may rest on feet F, as in Figs. 2 and 3.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the tongue strip T may .in clude a lateral tongue 20 which is conveniently provided with a pointed end or edge 21, the tongue extending laterally from a flange 22;, slightly inclined from the perpendicular, which forms one side wall of the recess R and the opposite edge of which may be shaped to form bead 12. A lateral flange 23 may be provided with bead 14 along its outer edge and may also be provided on the underside with a depending flange 24, conveniently hook shaped and adapted to form an abutment to receive the peripheral edge of shell S, which may be attached to the tongue strip T at spaced positions, as by a series of rivets 25. The groove strip G may be provided with a depending flange 2.6, conveniently inclined slightly from the perpendicular and forming the opposite side of recess R. One edge of flange 26 may be shaped to form bead 13, while. the opposite edge 27 may be shaped to receive the pointed edge 21 of tongue 29, so that the tongue and groove strip will interfit completely longitudinally around the periphery of the case, when the case is closed, as. indicated previously. The groove strip G may also be provided with a lateral flange 28, extending from flange 26 and, formed at its outer edge to provide bead 15 Flange 28 may also be provided on its underside with a depending flange 29 conveniently hook shaped and adapted to form an abutment receiving the peripheral edge of the shell S. The peripheral edge of shell S may be attached to groove strip G at spaced positions around the periphery of the shell by a series of rivets 25.

The opposed inner edges of beads 12 and 14-, as well as of beads 13 and 15, may be undercut so that respective strips 3%) and 31 of wear resistant plastic and conveniently the same material as layer 11, may be placed on the top of the respective flange 23 and 28 and adhesively se cured thereto. As will be evident, the inner edges of the respective beads 12, 14, 13, 15 will tend to prevent either edge of the respective strip 39, 31 from being contacted and therefore minimize the possibility of accidental separation of the wear resistant strip from the tongue strip T or groove strip G. However, the strips 3% and 31 will resist direct wear and abrasion and reduce considerably the amount of metal surface exposed. The respective wear resistant strips 30 and 31 may be cut to length so that each will extend across the top of the luggage case, around each end, and along the bottom, with the meeting edges of the strips being beneath a special clip described later, so that no edge of either strip will be exposed. The tongue Ztl, except at the position of lock L, may also be covered by a strip 32 of a material similar to layer 11 and strips 30 and 31, such as a wear resistant vinyl, the edges of which may extend into undercut grooves at edge 21 of tongue 20 and at the junction between tongue 24 and flange 22. Strip 32 may be adhered to the outer surface of tongue 20 by a suitable adhesive and conveniently extends around both ends and the bottom of the case and sufficiently beneath the lock structure L that no exposed edges are presented. Conveniently, the ends of strip 32' may be riveted to the tongue 20 beneath opposite ends of the lock structure L. Beads 12 and 13, as Well as beads 14- and 15, may have a rounded vor any other suitable configuration, such as that shown, so as to provide a desirably pleasing appearance, while the rivets 25' may be countersunk and covered by the respective Wear resistant strips 3t} and 31.

Each of the tongue strip T and groove strip G may be formed from light metal, as indicated previously, such as aluminum or magnesium alloy, each strip being conveniently formed by extruding through a die having an orifice corresponding to the cross sectional shape of the respective strip. Each strip may be cut to length and bent at appropriate places toformthe four rounded corners, with. the ends of each strip abutting at the bottom, as at joint 34 of Fig. 5 and attached together by a plate 35 riveted thereto, as in Fig. 6, conveniently placed on the inside of the case. The meeting ends of the groove strip G may be covered by a joint clip C, shown in Figs. 5 and 6, which includes a base 37 disposed between beads 13 and i5 and provided with an inside lateral flange 38, which conforms generally to the contour of head 13 and extends thereover to a point adjacent the edge or" recess R at flange 26, and also with an outside lateral flange 39, which conforms generally to the contour of bead 15 wd extends thereover to a point on the outer edge thereof. As will be evident, a similar joint clip may extend between and over the beads 12 and 14 of tongue strip T. The base 37 of clip C may be provided at each end with an inverted angular flange 40 adapted to clamp against the end of the respective strips 31, which ends need extend only a short distance under the base of clip C, as to the position indicated by the dotted lines 4-1 adjacent the end flanges 49. The clip C may be attached to the opposite ends of the groove strip G, as by rivets 42 which also attach the fish plate 35 to the strip, and by rivet 43 which extend through the lateral flange 23 between bead 15 and inside flange 29, thereby also extending through shell S. As will be evident, attachment of shell S to the groove strip G will hold groove strip G generally in position until clip C and fish plate 35 may be attached. When three hinges are used, as in larger lug age cases, one is preferably at the center of the case at the bottom, and thereby covers the joint between the abutting ends of the tongue strip T at the position of tongue 21). However, if only two hinges are used, as in smaller cases, a clip similar to clip C may be used for groove strip G, but the corresponding clip for tongue strip T may extend completely over the head 12, along flange 22 shown in Fig. 4, and also across the tongue 20, and may be riveted to the opposite ends of tongue strip T in a similar manner. As will be evident, other conventional ways of attaching the clip C and a similar clip for the tongue strip may be utilized. Also, diflerent types of clips may be used, such as including a base provided with a flange at each side extending over. beads 13 and 15, in the case of tongue strip T, and the beads 14 and 15, in the case of groove strip G, as well as with end flanges corresponding to flmges 40 of clip C and adapted to clamp the respective ends of strips 31. Such a clip may also include a top plate provided with inwardly extending flanges adapted to engage slots provided With spring flanges in the base.

Four feet F, preferably disposed near each end of the case, as in Fig. 2, and also sufficiently toward each side, as in Fig. 3, to support the case when in upright position with sufficient stability, may each be constructed as shown in Figs. 79. Each foot may be made of non-metallic material, such as the firm plastic material known as Ethocell and may be molded for convenience in manufacture. Each foot F may be longated and provided with sides and ends converging toward each other from a base surface 4-5 to a smaller support surface 46, the base surface 45 conveniently conforming to the contour of the respective shell S or S, as in Fig. 9. Each foot may be provided with a central recess 47 and a pair of outer recesses 48, each recess having tapering sides for convenience in molding to reduce cross sectional area in any plane. Each foot may also be provided with a countersunk hole 49, as between recess 47 and each recess 4-8, to receive a rivet 56, which extends through shell S and S, as through layers It and 11 of Fig. 9, the outer head of each rivet 59 being disposed in the countersunk portion of a hole 49 and the inner head of each rivet 59 being enlarged against the inside of the shell, i.e., against metal layer 10.

The two sections of the luggage case may be attached together at the bottom by two or more hinges, such as a hinge H, shown in Figs. 3 and -12, adjacent each end of the bottom of the case. For larger cases, a center hinge, similar to hinge H, may also be utilized. Each hinge H, as in Fig. 12, is conveniently pivotal about a pin 52, which is conveniently adjacent the inner edge of bead 13, so that the bottom of the case section will pivot about an axis permitting engagement and disengagement of the tongue strip T with the groove strip G easily. One half of each hinge H may be formed as a plate 53 which extends through a slot 54 in flange 26 of groove strip G and is provided with an ear 55 which surrounds the central portion of pin 52. The other half of hinge H may be formed as a plate 56, having a pair of cars 57 surrounding the end portions of pin 52 and outwardly inclined lateral flanges 58 which clamp against strip 32 and have tapered sides to correspond to the lateral contour of recess R, as well as an inwardly extending flange 5-9 which accommodates ear 55 of plate 53 and adds structural stability to hinge plate 56. Flange 59 may be omitted, if desired, or may extend outwardly instead of inwardly, to provide a stop to prevent opening of the hinges more than a desired amount, as by abutment against bead 13 of groove strip G. Each hinge plate 53 and 56 may be provided with holes 60 and 6 1, respectively, shown in Fig. 10, by which the hinge plate may be attached to the respectively tongue and groove strip as in Fig. 12. Thus, hinge plate 53 may be attached to groove strip G by rivets 62, conveniently having countersunk heads so as to be hidden beneath strip 31, while hinge plate 56 may be attached to tongue 20 of tongue strip T by rivets 63, with a generally conical bell 64 being placed around each rivet 63 to act as a spacer and maintain hinge plate 56 in the desired position. As will be evident from Fig. 12, each hinge H is generally within the recess R and thus is not only in a protected position but also is at least partially hidden from view, thus adding to the appearance of the luggage case.

In addition to the parts previously described, the luggage case of Figs. 1-3 may also include the pants shown in Fig. 13. Thus, the lock structure L may be constructed in the manner disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Lee F. Garmon, In, and Willard G. Axtell, Serial No. 790,675, filed February 2, 1959, thus including a housing 65 within each end of which a drawbolt or slide 65 is movable by a lever 67. Each lever 67, in the open position of Fig. 13, may extend outwardly from the recess R but in the closed position, as in Fig. 1, is within the recess R, as will be evident from Fig. 2. Each lever 67 may be provided with a lock for securing the same in closed position, as by a key in sertable in a slot having an appropriate position in a lock cylinder 68. Each slide 66 is appropriately constructed so that, with the two halves of the case closed, each slide will engage a hook or catch 69, attached to the groove strip G on the opposite half of the case, when the respective lever 67 is moved to the closed position of Fig. l.

The luggage case may further include a fabric lining 7t and 70 for the respective sections of the case, lining 70 conveniently extending to the flange 22 of tongue strip T and being secured to tongue strip T, as by special rivets hidden by strip 34), and the lining 7t) conveniently extending to the flange 26 of groove strip G and being secured to groove strip G of Fig. 4 in a similar manner. Each lining 7b and 7t) may be formed of one or more portions stitched together and provided with a backing of stiffer material, particularly around the inner periphery of strips T and G, respectively. A flexible edge of a pad or divider '71 may be attached to the inside edge of groove strip G along the bottom of the case section, as by a clamping bar 72, while suitable locking pins 73 may be mounted on the inside of strip G on the opposite side of the case section, for locking divider 71 in position when desired. A trolley '74 for a series of hangers 75 may also be mounted at a position centrally of bar 72, while a folding bar 76 may extend between the outer ends of arms 77, the inner ends of which are pivotally mounted on the inside of the case section adjacent the lower end of the case. A lining roll 78 may be secured to one case be used to adapt the luggage case for use as other types.

of mens cases or for use as ladies cases. However, it will be evident that the strips T and G permit the ready attachment of various types of interior parts, such as countersunk head rivets or other types of fastening devices which are attached to tongue 20 or to flange 23 or 28 of Fig. 4 and are covered on the outside bystrips 30, 31 or 32.

Although a preferred form of this invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that other forms may exist and various changes made therein, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A luggage case comprising two opposed concave sections which meet at the edges thereof when the case is closed, each said section comprising a strip of substantial lateral extent and formed of metallic material, which extends around the confronting edge of said section, said strip being constructed and arranged to interfit with the opposite strip when the case is closed, each said strip being provided with an inwardly extending wall and said strips being constructed and arranged to provide a recess extending longitudinally around the periphery of said luggage case with said sections closed, said walls forming the sides of said recess; a concave shell for each section, the inner edge of each said shell extending beneath at least a portion of the corresponding strip; means attaching the edge of each said shell to the corresponding strip; hinge means pivotally connecting said sections together along one edge thereof; and releasable means for connecting said sections together at the opposite edge thereof.

2. A luggage case as defined in claim 1, wherein said hinge means and said releasable means are disposed within said recess.

3. A luggage case as defined in claim 1, wherein said hinge means includes a plurality of hinges disposed in spaced positions in said recess, each said hinge being provided with a lateral flange corresponding to the contour of said recess with said case sections in closed position.

4. A luggage case as defined in claim 1, wherein said hinge means comprises a plurality of hinges disposed in spaced position along said recess, each said hinge including a pair of hinge plates-and a hinge pin pivotally connecting said hinge plates, said wall of one of said strips being provided with a slot at the position of each hinge and one hinge plate of the corresponding hinge extending through said slot for attachment to said strip on the inside thereof.

5. A luggage case as defined in claim 1, wherein said hinge means comprises a plurality of hinges disposed in spaced position along said recess and each said hinge comprises a first hinge plate provided with a pin encircling an arcuate ear disposed adjacent the outer edge of said recess at one side thereof, the inwardly extending wall of one strip adjacent said first hinge plate being provided with a slot through which said hinge plate extends; means attaching said first hinge plate to the inside of said one strip; a hinge pin extending through said ear of said first hinge plate; -a second hinge plate provided with a base disposed in an outer position in said recess and having at least one arcuate ear engaging said hinge pin, said second hinge plate being provided with a lateral flange at each end extending inwardly into said recess and having a lateral contour corresponding to said recess and an inner flange adjacent said ear of said first hinge plate; a conical bell engaging said base of said second hinge plate and disposed insaid recess; and means extending through said bell for attaching said second hinge plate to the opposite strip.

6. A luggage case comprising two opposed concave sections which meet at the edges thereof when the case is closed, each said section comprising a strip of substantial lateral extent and formed of metallic material, which extends around the confronting edge of said section, said strip being provided on the inside with an outwardly facing, hook shaped flange, said strip being constructed and arranged to interfit with the opposite strip when the case is closed; a concave shell for each section, the peripheral edge of each shell extending within the corresponding flange; means attaching the edge of each said shell to the corresponding strip; hinge means pivotally connecting said sections together along one edge thereof; and releasable means for. connecting said sections together at the opposite edge thereof.

7. A luggage case comprising two opposed concave sections which meet at the edges thereof when the case is closed, each said section comprising a unitary strip of substantially lateral extent and formed of metallic material, which extends around the confronting edge of said section to a joint at which the ends of said strip abut, said strip being constructed and arranged to interfit with the opposite strip when the case is closed; means connecting the abutting edges of each said strip; a clip attached to each said strip and covering the joint at the abutting ends thereof; a concave shell for each section, the inner edge of each said shell extending beneath a portion of the corresponding'strip; means attaching the edge of each said shell to the correspondingstrip; hinge means pivotally connecting said sections together along one edge thereof; and releasable means for connecting said sections together at the opposite edge thereof.

8. In a luggage case, including two opposed concave sections which meet at the edges thereof when said case is closed, each said section including a strip formed of metallic material which extends around the confronting edge of said section and a concave shell, the peripheral edge of which extends beneath at least a portion of the corresponding strip; the strip for one said case section being a first strip and provided with a laterally ex tending tongue, 21 first flange extending outwardly from said tongue and a second flange extending laterally from the outer edge of said first flange and the edge of the corresponding shell being attached to said second flange; the strip of the opposite section being a second strip provided with means interfitting with the edge of said tongue of said first strip, a first flange extending outwardly from said interfitting means and a second flange extending laterally from the outer edge of said first flange, and the edge of the corresponding shell being attached to said second flange; said tongue and said outwardly extending flanges of said first and second strips forming a recess extending longitudinally around said case with said case sections closed.

9. In a luggage case, the improvement defined in claim 8, wherein the peripheral edge of each shell is attached to the inside of the corresponding second flange; the outer edge of each of said first strip flanges and the outer edge of each of the second strip flanges is provided with an outwardly extending head; said tongue and each said second flange of each said strip is provided with a shallow, longitudinal recess in the outer surface thereof; and a strip of non-metallic material is disposed in each of said shallow recesses.

10. In a luggage case, including two opposed concave sections which meet at the edges thereof when said case is closed, each said section comprising a ship of substantial lateral extent and formed of metallic material, which extends around the confronting edge of said fieption, and a concave shell whose peripheral edges extend beneath at least a portion of the corresponding strip; and a plurality of feet for supporting said case in upright position and attached to said shells outwardly from said strips, each foot being elongated in a longitudinal direction of said case and having an inner surface whose contour corresponds to the outer surface of said shell at the point of attachment, each said foot having sides and ends which taper inwardly to a supporting surface, a plurality of recesses extending into said foot from the inner surface thereof, a plurality of countersunk holes extending through said foot and interspaced with said recesses and a headed member within each said countersunk hole and attaching said foot to said shell.

11. A luggage case including two opposed concave sections which meet at the edges thereof when said case is closed, each said section comprising a strip of substantial lateral extent and formed of metallic material, which extends around the confronting edge of said section, each said strip being constructed and arranged to interfit with the opposite strip, and a concave shell Whose perpiheral edge fits beneath at least a portion of the corresponding strip; said strips being constructed and arranged to form a recess extending around said luggage case longitudinally and one of said strips being provided with a tongue forming the bottom of said recess; an elongated lock structure disposed in said recess at the top of said luggage case; a handle support mounted on said lock structure; a handle connected to said handle support; and a plurality of hinges disposed within said recess at the bottom of said case, said hinges pivotally connecting said case sections together.

12. A luggage case as defined in claim 11, wherein said tongue is provided with a longitudinally extending, shallow recess and a tapered edge, the opposite strip being provided with an angular flange interfitting with said tapered edge with said case sections closed; each said strip is provided with a flange extending laterally from the edge of said recess and provided with a shallow, longitudinally extending recess and a longitudinally and outwardly extending bead at each side of said shallow recess; each said lateral flange is provided on the inside with a hook shaped flange adapted to receive the edge of the corresponding shell and disposed opposite said shallow recess; a strip of non-metallic material disposed in each of said longitudinally extending shallow recesses; said strips in said shallow :recess of each said lateral flange being adapted to cover rivets and the like for attaching the corresponding shell to said lateral flange.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 384,969 Frankel June 26, 1888 1,464,643 Burchess Aug. 14, 1923 2,200,972 Stein May 14, 1940 2,339,907 Bracken Jan. 25, 1944 2,828,844 Arlitt Apr. 1, 1958 2,832,448 Axtell Apr. 29, 1958 2,848,079 Brodie Aug. 19, 1958 

